Page 21 of One Wicked Secret
Viscount Rutland was already entertaining a guest.
“Can you not just leave a message?” Clara tugged Daniel’s coat sleeve. “I doubt Lord Rutland will welcome a disturbance. He must focus all his efforts on being amusing.”
But Daniel would not be deterred.
“May we come in, Hockton? We’ll be discreet. Trust me. His lordship would rather hear my plea firsthand than via a note. I wouldn’t call if it weren’t urgent.”
Hockton considered the request before stepping aside. “Kindly wait in the study, sir, and I shall see if his lordship is happy to receive you.”
They stepped into the hall, their footsteps light against the polished marble. The amber glow of an oil lamp flickered over the grand clock, gilt-framed portraits, and intricately carved wainscoting, each detail speaking of old wealth and aristocratic heritage.
Hockton lit the lamps in the study and motioned for them to wait while he consulted his master. The clip of his shoes on the floor preceded a gentle knock on the drawing room door.
“This is highly inappropriate,” Clara complained.
“Rutland and I are like brothers,” Daniel reassured her, helping himself to port from a crystal decanter on the walnut table. “I could arrive stark naked, and he wouldn’t give a damn.”
Elsa’s traitorous mind conjured an image of her husband’s broad chest, bronzed skin, and toned muscles. When clothed,a masterful energy radiated from him. Without them, he would be a force too powerful to resist.
“Perhaps I should wait in the carriage,” Clara said.
But it was too late.
A handsome man with tousled brown hair burst into the study, his shirt open, his cravat hanging rakishly around his neck. He smelled of expensive cologne and flowery perfume.
“Dalton! I hear I missed the drama tonight. Trust me to choose the worst moment to fetch refreshments.” The lord’s grin faltered as his gaze moved past Daniel to settle on her and Clara. “Perhaps I misheard, and you were accosted by a pair of mysterious monks, not a woman claiming to be your wife.”
Daniel motioned for Elsa to lower her hood. “Allow me to present my wife, Mrs Dalton. We were married in Chippenham six months ago.”
Elsa did as requested and curtsied to the dashing lord. “Daniel has mentioned you many times over the years, my lord. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The viscount bowed gracefully. “Forgive my relaxed attire. I shall give Dalton a good thrashing for not giving me prior warning. You were his neighbour in Chippenham, I believe.”
“Yes. We’ve known each other for many years.”
The lord regarded her with mild curiosity. “Odd he wasn’t shouting his good fortune from the rooftops. Odd he kept his friends in the dark.” He turned to Clara, waiting for her to reveal herself, but she stood in frozen paralysis.
“You remember my sister Clara,” Daniel said.
“Of course.” The lord stared at the hooded figure, his demeanour softening as a ghost of a smile played on his lips. “The last time we met, she tried to set fire to my coat.”
Clara huffed. “What do you expect when you linger in dark corridors? You cannot blame a lady for dropping her candle.”
“It shot out of the holder like a fiery arrow,” he replied, his tone more playful than accusatory. “Are you in mourning, Miss Dalton? Or is there another reason for your shroud?”
Clara’s inner turmoil was palpable, but she found the strength to lower her hood. “I have every reason to hide, my lord.”
The viscount breathed deeply. Perhaps he was startled to see Clara’s thick, ebony hair hanging in lustrous waves about her shoulders. Maybe it was the forest-green eye patch he found mesmerising.
“You always seek to surprise me, Miss Dalton. Tonight, you appear like a forest sprite out to cause mischief.”
“Yet I’m not the one misbehaving.” Clara motioned to his dishabille but did not allude to the woman waiting in the drawing room. “How long until you announce your betrothal to Miss Woodall? I’m told thetonare awaiting the news with bated breath.”
The viscount firmed his jaw. “Thirty days.”
“And then you will lose your bachelor status.”
“Not necessarily. I might die before then.”
